Tag Archives: California

Yes that’s a close up of my tushy.. my friend Eric Tabora took all these shots, and none of us noticed my jeans were missing a big patch..oops. The photos are in black and white, but I’m wearing all denim.. I’m a big believer in a denim tuxedo or Canadian Tuxedo or whatever you guys call it – it’s pretty much my uniform, denim is my favorite fabric, and always has been…

These shorts look like underwear, especially when the camera is lower. I know it’s hard to see what I’m wearing in the artsy black & white… but it’s all DENIM, even my top is denim…I’m kinda obsessed..here ya go:

Fashion Notes: Bag: vintage Coach from Barney’s, Shoes: from the vintage fair in Oakland, I cut them to make half boots, Shorts: old Levi’s, Top: Intermix, Glasses: Dries Van Noten

I’ve been making denim jackets, and my friends decided to photograph me wearing one during a fun vacation in Ojai. Nothing better then being with friends, singing, creating and laughing. And making people laugh, like here when my fringe got stuck on a cactus.

here are my tips to pulling off….

Mix colors: I think it looks cooler to wear many different colors, like Joseph and his technicolor dream coat 🙂

Mix fabrics: so some denim is worn in and some denim is very dense.. it looks stylin’ to have all those fabrics blended. So a beat up jacket with holes paired with dark blue and stiff jeans.

Accessorize: Add color and/or lots of gold like me. Now that you are wearing all jean, throw some jewelry on and over do it..you can, believe me. Either silver or gold or a bright beaded necklace like I have from Colombia..go for it.

Bags/Shoes: Again, have fun here. You can get away with so much, like wearing high heels in bright red or white – especially if you are wearing jeans with holes. I love wearing a fancy bag like a Chanel or anything with gold hardware or even a fancy clutch with head to toe denim.. it gives cool style immediately. And it’s more fun to take something polished and make it a little less polished…

Opposites Attract: ..and the same works in regard to style. High/Low, Soft/Hard, Formal/Informal…

Jen. Mom. Dancer. Business Consultant. San Rafael, California. May 2017.

I acted like a paparazzi here, because most kids don’t want me to annoy them with my non-stop chatter and clicking camera. Jen is an amazing mom, business executive and Brazilian dancer.. she can MOVE!!

We do so much in the morning to get our kids ready – it’s hard to look put together, especially at 8:00 in the morning. These photographs are a true example of what it’s like for us glamorous mothers at school drop-off….. 🙂

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Megan is a repeat Haute Drop mama. Always looking fly this one….When I run into Megan, she knows that I’m going to beg her to let me take some shots. She always looks good, without that “I tried to look good” look.

Megan knows how to wear animal print ankle boots, without looking cheesy. Not everyone has that gift – paired with solid leggings, and casual bohemian accessories – and it works so well.

See what happens when your kids play soccer? You meet fashion designer mothers, who have cool bikes, and look like models.

Bay Area Fashion Designer and Mama, Rebecca Bruce has been designing ready-to-wear since 1986…Shown here in her own halter dress design.

Rebecca’s work has been showcased in film, on CNN, at SFMOMA’s ModernArt Ball and California’s Top Ten Designers Fusion Show in L.A. Including publications, The San Francisco Chronicle, Essence, W and Elle. Check out her work, http://www.rebeccabruce.com

Rebecca has a showroom in Mill Valley, where you can try on her pieces and feel her imported fabrics, ranging from mohair to the finest wool and cashmere.

I love how I look totally dorky wearing a helmet and leaning against my uncool bike – but Rebecca looks opposite. A great mix of California laid back style infused with that Northern Cali outdoor style… she does it so well..

Now that’s a gorgeous back. Rebecca is lucky, and she’s also a former model. Great Genes!! I never loved the way I look in a halter dress, so I especially admire women who can pull it off….WHY CAN’T I.. WHY!!!!!!!!!! (a little funny?)

This field is where The Grateful Dead used to play baseball with other musicians, here in the bohemian county of Marin.

Meggan grew up in the bohemian town of Fairfax, located in Marin County. She was raised by two New Yorkers, and lived in NYC for a long time – before moving back to her California roots. I can see the mix of NYC and Northern California in Meggan’s style – she looks like she’s strolling a flea market on a Sunday in the East Village.

Well, I love a good old Dooney & Bourke 1980’s pocketbook, what wasn’t even hip in the 80’s, has enjoyed a resurgence for at least 5 years. I purchased a great Dooney & Bourke bucket bag at an Aspen thrift store for $25.00 about three years ago – what a score!!

Please excuse the garbage – kind of shocking that someone “littered”!!! A cropped cardigan is always a good staple in your wardrobe – especially in California climates.

Michael is the little league coach for his son’s baseball team. I love how tough this dad looks with his mountain man beard, tattoos and manly physique. And Michael is wearing Dickies, a brand that’s been around for a long time.

Michael works in construction and obviously is a very involved father – believe me, little league is no laughing matter.. it’s major time and communication with parents, parents like me..exactly, not easy.

The town of Woodacre is located in West Marin County – it’s filled with beautiful sprawling landscapes, farms, wild animals and a pretty tight community of truly authentic hippies..You drive around these little towns, and nothing is creepy at all. Because it’s filled with a pretty progressive population of free thinkers- – most likely, no one will shoot you if you accidentally land on their property (unlike some other Southern American towns).

There are no chains, only mom and pop owned stores, where everyone knows everyone. I love the idea of a small town, but one that’s excepting and liberal..and not-judgemental. That’s my image of Woodacre.

If you know me at all, you will know I’m a jean jacket freak, I have so many, but usually wear the same one on repeat for a month and switch to the next denim jacket perfection. One of the reasons I moved out of Miami, was so I could wear my jackets every day – oh and because my hair looks so good in California (I’m kidding).

Nancy is wearing an insane fringe jean jacket from the store Calypso, http://www.calypsostbarth.com – Calypso has stores in several locations, Nancy purchased this bad boy at The Marin Country Mart..an outdoor shopping/eating spot with some seriously good and expensive stores, like Intermix, www.intermix.com

Nancy’s bag is a classic and funky Balenciaga “City” Bag. I always loved this Balenciaga pocketbook, http://www.balenciaga.com/, because it makes any look a little more urban cool. When you are wearing work out clothing, this bag adds excitement to what can be boring.

Remember all this excitement, doesn’t come cheap. Balenciaga handbags start at around $1,000. The best shoppers I know, aren’t rich – but they usually (unlike impulsive me) buy a few good pieces, and it’s worth the investment. I’ve never sold a bag before, but people have great success consigning designer handbags. And I’ve had great success buying used designer goods.

Nancy’s motorcycle boots are by Ash, www.ash.com – the same brand that designed my famous gold studded kicks.

Nancy is a writer, attorney and singer. I just saw her perform on stage singing an incredible version of Corinne Bailey Rae’s Like a Star. Nancy is a New Yorker through and through, and now makes Marin County her home, with her family, including two young kids. When my kid’s music teacher told me about Nancy’s website, I immediately started stalking…I needed her as a friend, and it worked. Check out Nancy’s take on living in the Bay Area, she gives great tips, shares some pretty deep stuff, and the not so deep. www.nycgirlbythebay.com

If anyone could be a style poster child for Fairfax, a bohemian town in Marin County, California–Jeremy would be it. Jeremy has the soul of an artist, and now the soul of a daddy. Jeremy is a musician, playing guitar and singing in the band San Geronimo. I first heard this band play at a bar, that to me, seemed like it had to be fake and on some movie set. But it wasn’t, this place called Rancho Nicasio is deep in Marin County, and feels like what my image of a 1960 rural hippie town would appear to be. I even spotted an identical human replica of David Crosby.

Jeremy’s voice is brooding and captivating, but I’m not really a music critic. What I do know, is that their version of Lyle Lovett’s If I had a Boat will touch you deeply..and make you fall in love with their sound. San Geronimo plays every Thursday at Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, owned by famed Grateful Dead bassist, Phil Lesh. They’ve played at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, as well as many other Bay Area venues. Click the link below, to check them out:

Fashion Notes : T-shirt: H&M, Hat: Gypsy and Loïc, Jeans: G-Star. I love how Loïc wears small accessories well – Being French, he learned about style in utero. But men take note – it’s all simple really with a flash of a leather cuff and a small string necklace. A bright green shirt gives the face some color, and a cool hat is an instant fashion step-up. Being “trendy” is tough for any guy, but adding slight style is so easy – and we women appreciate a man with some style 🙂 (for me it’s especially great, if it seems “unintentional”)

Loïc’s son was playing against my son Neal’s soccer team. This family captured my attention with authentic Northern California free-spirited style. I wasn’t surprised to learn about their fashion company.

Loïc and his wife Gypsy are creative souls, designing environmentally conscious accessories. Based in Arcata, California, Gypsy and Loïc is “on a mission to create fun and unique accessories made here in the USA from up-cycled and recycled fabrics.” click on the link to check out their stuff: